Fuse and switch handling device



y 10, 1932- H. w. BODENDIECK 1,858,133

FUSE AND SWITCH HANDLING DEVICE Filed Oct. 15, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 gnuentoz b. h/Bodendz'eel y 1932- H. w. BODENDIECK 1,858,133

FUSE AND SWITCH HANDLING DEVICE Filed Oct. '15, 1929 '5 Sheets-Sheet 2''11. mflczenczi wk y 10, 1932- H. w. BODENDIECK 1,858,133

FUSE AND SWITCH HANDLING DEVICE Filed Oct. 15, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 44/ .lllllli /7- MBodend 2' ac]? Patented May 16, 1932 UITE FHCE

HENRY 1V. BODENDIECK, 0F TAYLOBVILLE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR '10 TIPS TOOLCOM- PANY, INQ, OF TAYLOEVILLE, ILLINOES, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS FUSEAND SVJITCH HANDLING DEVICE Application filed October 15, 1929.

This invention relates to a fuse and switch handling device, and it isan object of the invention to provide a device of this kind which can beemployed with safety in applying or removing fuses mounted vertically,horizontally or at any angle, or in disconnecting or closing switchesmounted vertically, horizontally or at any angle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kindcomprising an insulated operating member or handle carrying normallyseparated clamping jaws, together with means operating upon rotation ofthe handle to cause said jaws to move one towards the other for desiredclamping engagement with a fuse or switch.

A further objectof the invention is to provide a device of this kindcomprising an operating member or handle having a part operativelysupported thereby for swinging movement in a direction angular to thelongitudinal axis of the operating member or handle and wherein saidpart carries a pair of normally separated. clamping jaws, said clampingjaws being supported for relative movement in a direction angular to thedirection of swinging movement of said part.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device of thiskind comprising an operating member or handle together with a pair ofrelatively movable clamping jaws operatively carried by the member orhandle at a location beyond an end of the member or handle and laterallyadjustable with respect to said member or handle, together with meansoperable from the member or handle for moving the jaws one towards theother for clamping action.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved fuse andswitch handling device whereby certain important advantages are attainedand the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise moreconvenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fullyset forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the bet- Selial No. 399,822.

understood, I will now proceed to describe e same with reference to theaccompanying Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the st ucture asillustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View in elevation illustrating the members forlaterally adjusting the clamping jaws, said jaws being omitted;

Figure l is a view in front elevation of one of the adjusting membersillustrated in Fig- Figure 5 is a view partly in side elevation andpartly in section of the device as illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 2 with a portion in section;

Figure '1' is a sectional view taken lengthwise through one of theclamping aws unapplied;

Figure 8 is a View partly in side elevation and p artly in sectionillustrating a device constructed in accordance with a furtherembodiment of my invention Figure 9 is a View partly in front elevationand partly in section of the device as illustrated in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the locking arm ascomprised in Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a view in top plan of the swinging yoke or head ascomprised in Figures 8 and 9 unapplied.

In the form of my invention as embodied in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, Hdenotes an op erating member or handle of wood to provide requisiteinsulation, and fixed to one end portion of the handle H is a metalliccap 1 having its outer end closed, said outer closed end being'definedby an outstanding continuous flange 2. At its axial center the closedend of the cap 1 carries an outstanding and relatively short lug 3, theouter end portion 4- of which is conical in form. A sleeve 5 surroundsthe cap 1 and the outer portion of said sleeve is in threaded engagementwith the cap 1, the outer end portion of the bore of the sleeve 5 beingenlarged to provide a rabbet 6 to receive the flange 2 whereby theoutward movement of the sleeve 5 with respect to the cap 1 is limited.

The flange 2 hereinbefore referred to in order to permit the desiredassembly of the cap 1 and sleeve 5 initially is separable from the cap1, but after being applied may be keyed or otherwise secured in desiredposition.

As for all intents and purposes the flange 2 constitutes a part of thecap 1 it is not believed necessary that a particular means for holdingthe flange 2 in applied position need be illustrated.

The cap 1 is suitably affixed to the handle H for rotation therewith sothat upon rotation of the handle H the cap 1 and sleeve 5 will haverelative movement in adirection lengthwise of the handle H. 7

At diametrically opposed points the outer end of the sleeve 5 isprovided with the parallel arms 7 disposed in a direction parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the sleeve 5 but in a direction therefrom.These arms 7 are preferably integrally formed with the sleeve 5 as isalso the cross member 8 connecting the outer ends of the arms 7. Thecentral portion of the cross member 8 is provider with an outwardlydisposed plate 9 having its side faces substantially parallel with theside faces of the cross member 8. Each side face of the plate 9 togetherwith the portion of the associated sine face of the cross member 8 isformed with an annular series of teeth 10 with which are adapted tointerlock similarly formed teeth 11 carried by an annular member 12.

As is clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 5 the members 12 arepositioned at opposite sides of the plate 9 and said members 12 andplate 9 are maintained in desired assembled relation through the mediumof headed shank 14 disposed axially through said assembled members. Inthreaded engagement with the free extremity of the shank 14: is a wingnut 15 or the like adapted for close contact with the outer face of oneof the members 12 while the head 16 of the shank 1 1 is arranged forclose contact with the outer face of the second member 12.

By rotation of the nut 15 in one direction said nut 15 and head 16 coactto maintain from the plate 9 to allow said members 12 to be rotated ineither direction as may be desired.

At diametrically opposed points each of the members 12 has extendingoutwardly therefrom the pins or trunnions 17 to provide mountings for aclamping jaw A or B. The jaw A, as herein disclosed, is of alengthgreater than that of the B and as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 5said jaws A and B are longitudinally curved on different radii. Byhaving this difference in radius with one jaw longer than the other theefii ciency of the device is materially increased especially in view ofthe fact that the range of the clamping action of the jaws A and B ismaterially increased.

The inner ends of the jaws A and B are provided with the spaced arms 18which straddle a member 12, and said arms 18 in their outer margins areprovided with the suitably positioned open slots 19 to receive the pinsor trunnions 17 whereby said arms 18 are supported for swinging movementin a general direction lengthwise of the shank 14 or in a generaldirection substantially perpendicular to the direction of rotation ofthe members 12. The inner end portions of the jaws A and B are providedwith the opposed pockets 20 which receive the extremities of aninterposed expansion member 21, herein disclosed as coil spring, whichoperates to constantly urge the jaws A and B in a direction one awayfrom the other. The inner or free end portions of the arms 18 areconnected by an arcuate member 22 integral with said arms 18 and havingits periphery disposed on a desired curvature, said outer marginalportion being also outwardly flared as at 23.

This arcuate member 22 is constantly in contact with the conoidalportion 1 of the lug 3 and is of a length to maintain such contactirrespective of the extent the associated jaw A or B may be rotatedabout the shank 14:.

Any desired means may be employed to cause the aws A and B to swing inunison and in the same direction relative to the shank l but, as hereindisclosed, the arm 18 of the jaw A is provided with a pin 2% of a lengthto have its outer end portion at all times received within a recess 25provided in the opposed face of an arm 18 of the jaw B. l/Vhile this pin24. will cause the aws A and B to swing in unison, yet the recess 25will permit the relative swinging movement of the jaws A and B one withrespect to the other without hindrance or interference by the pin 24:.

The sleeve 5 at a desired point thereon is provided therethrough with anopening 26 in which is arranged a fibre disc 27 or the like which isconstantly urged into contact with the threaded periphery of the cap 1by the expansible member or coiled spring 28 interposed between saiddisc 27 and av plug 29 engaged within the outer portion of the open ing26. By this means the disc 2'? has sufficient frictional contact withthe cap 1 to serve as a brake to normally prevent relative turn- 1 P Uuing movement between the cap 1 and sleeve 5 to offset any such tendencyof turning movement which would otherwise be liable to occur by theweight of the jaws A and B.

hen the jaws A and B are positioned substantially in alignment with thehandle H as illustrated in the drawings said jaws are in position forengagement with horizontally disposed fuses or switches but as the angleof these fuses or switches vary between the horizontal and vertical, thejaws A and B will be substantially correspondingly adjusted with respectto the longitudinal axis of the operating member or handle H and whichadjustment is under control of the shank 14 and associated nut 15.

The jaws A and B are each provided with an elongated opening or slotwhich facilitates the use ofthe device with plug fuses.

Upon relative movement of the sleeve 5 and cap 1 lengthwise of themember or handle H as a result of rotation of the member or handle H,the jaws A and B will be moved into requisite clamping action or topermit the same to have requisite separating movement to release saidjaws from their work.

In the embodiment of my invention as illustrated in Figures 8 to 11inclusive, the outwardly disposed arms 7 and 7 carried by the sleeve 5have associated therewith an elongated and longitudinally curved yoke C.One end of the yoke has extending outward 1y therefrom a shank 31 whichis freely disposed through an opening 32 provided in the outer endportion of the arm 7 while the op-' posite end portion of the yoke isprovided with a flange 33 overlying the outer face of the arm 7 at itsfree extremity. This flange 33 has an opening 34 which receives anoutstanding pin or trunnion 35 carried by the arm 7. By this means theyoke C is sup ported by the arm 7 or 7 a for swinging movement in adirection laterally of the operating handle H. The arm 7* in its innerface is provided with an annular series of teeth 36 surrounding theopening 32 and between which is adapted to be selectively engaged atooth 37 carried by the adjacent end of the yoke C whereby by tighteningthe nut 38, threaded upon the outer end portion of the shank 31, theyoke C will be effectively locked in desired position from either sideof its longitudinal alignment with the handle H or in such alignment.

As herein disclosed, the nut 38 coacts with the outer face of the arm 7*in effecting this locking action and it will be self-evident that uponretrograde movement of the nut 38 the yoke C in its entirety may bemoved lengthwise in a direction away from the arm 7 to release thelocking engagement between the yoke C and the arm 7 Between the sidemembers 39 of the yoke C are pivotally mounted the shanks 40 of theclamping aws A and B and said shanks outwardly of the pivotal mountings41 for said shanks 40 have interposed therebetween an expansible memberor coil spring 42, the extremities of which are received within thepockets 43 formed in the opposed faces of the shanks 40. This expansiblemember or spring 42 operates to maintain the inner end portions of theshanks 40 at all times in contact with the conical portion 4 of the lug3 so that upon relative movement of the sleeve 5 and cap 1 upon rotationof the handle or member H, the jaws A and B Will be moved one toward theother into requisite clamping action or permitted to have desiredseparating movement to release said jaws from their work. i

-It is to be particularly noted from the foregoing description that themounting of the jaws A and B and also of the jaws A" and B is such toallow said jaws to be adjusted from a point at what may be termed inaxial alignment with the handle H to an angle of 90 with thelongitudinal axis of said handle or at substantially any intermediateangle. This in a tool of thiskind is of utmost importance as itmaterially increases the field of operation for the tool and moreespecially when working in a congested location.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a fuseand switch handling device constructed in accordance with my inventionis particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience andfacility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will alsobe obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change andmodification without departing from the principles and spirit thereofand for this reasonI do not wish to be understood as limiting myself tothe precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shownin carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. A handling device of the class described comprising a handle,a sleeve in threaded engagement therewith, a part carried by the sleeve,clamping jaws mounted upon said part for movement one towards the otherin a general direction angular to the general direction of swingingmovement of the part, said handle upon rotation in one direction movingthe jaws one towards the other, said jaws being also adjustable from aposition substantially in alignment with the handle to an angle ofsubstantially 90 with respect to suchhandle, the rotation of the handlein one direction moving the jaws one toward the other irrespective ofthe adjustment of said aws with respect to the handle.

2. A handling device of the class described comprising a handle, asleeve in threaded engagement therewith, a part carried by the sleeve,clamping jaws mounted upon said part for movement one, towards the otherin a general direction angular to the general direction of swingingmovement of the part, said handle upon rotation in one direction movingthe jaws one towards the other, said jaws being also adjustable from aposition substantially in alignment with the handle to an angleofsubstantially 90 with respect to such handle, the rotation of the handlein one direction moving thejaws one toward the other irrespective of theadjustment of said jaws with respect to the handle, and means forlocking the swinging part in a selected position in alignment with thehandle or to a side thereof.

3. A handling device of the class described comprising a handle, asleeve in threaded engagement therewith, a part carried by the sleeve,clamping jaws mounted upon said part for movement one towards the otherin a general direction angular to the general direction of swingingmovement of the part, said handle upon rotation in one direction movingthe jaws one towards the other, said 'jaws being also adjustable from aposition substantially in alignment with the handle to an angle ofsubstantially 90 with respect to such handle, the rotation of the handlein one direction moving the jaws one toward the other irrespective ofthe adjustment of said jaws with respect to the handle, and means forconstantly urging one of said jaws away from the other.

4. A handling device of the class described I comprising a handle, asleeve in threaded engagement therewith, a part carried by the sleeve,clamping jaws mounted upon said part for movement one towards the otherin a general direction angular to the general 91? direction of swingingmovement of the part,

said jaws including shanks, and a tapered member carried by the handlefor coaction with said shanks to move the jaws one towards the otherupon rotation of the handle 5; in one direction, said jaws being alsoadjustable from a position substantially in alignment with the handle toan angle of substantially 90 with respect to such handle, said taperedmember of the handle having effective coaction with the shanksirrespective of the adjustment of the aws. V

5. A handling device of the class described comprising a handle, asleeve in threaded engagement with an end portion of the handle, a partcarried by the sleeve and positioned beyond the end of the handle withwhich the sleeve is engaged, members positioned at opposite sides ofsaid part, means for supporting said members for rotation independently6f the part and for holding said members against such rotation, awspivotally carried by said members for movement one towards the other,and coacting means carried by the jaws and handle for moving said jawsone'towards the other upon rotation of the, handle, said means beingeffective in each selective rotary adjustment of the members.

6. A handling device. of the class described comprising a handle, asleeve in threaded engagement with an end portion of the handle,

a part carried by the sleeve and positioned beyond the end of the handlewith which the sleeve is engaged, members positioned at opposite sidesof said part, means for supporting said members for rotationindependently of the part and for holding said members against suchrotation, jaws. pivotally carried by said members for movement onetowards the other, coacting means carried by the jaws and handle formoving said jaws one towards the other upon rotation of the handle, saidmeans being efl'ective in each selective rotary adjustment of themembers, and means to cause the members to rotate in unison and in thesame direction.

7. A handling device of the class described comprising a handle, asleeve in threaded engagement with an end portion of the handle, a partcarried by the sleeve and positioned beyond the end of the handle withwhich the sleeve is engaged, members positioned at opposite sides orsaid part, means for supporting said members for rotation independentlyof the part and for holding said members against such rotation, jawspivotally carried by saidmembers for movement one towards the other, andcoacting means carried by the jaws and handle for moving said jaws onetowards the other upon rotation of the handle, said means beingeffective in each selective rotary adjustment of the members, and meansfor constantly urging the jaws one away from the other.

8; A fuse handling device comprising a pole or operating member, anadjustable part carried by the pole beyond an end thereof, said partbeing adjustable from a position substantially in alignment with thepole or operating member to a point substantially at right angles tosaid pole or operating member, gripping members carried by said part,means operating upon rotation of the pole in one direction for forcingone of the gripping members towards the other irrespective of theadjusted position of the part, and means for constantly urging one ofsaid members away from the other.

9. A fuse and switch handling device comprising a handle, clamping jaws,means for supporting said jaws beyond an end" of the handle, saidsupporting means permitting the jaws to be adjusted in a positionsubstantially in alignment with the handle to a position substantiallyat right angles thereto, and means operating upon rotation of the handlein one direction for moving the jaws one toward the other irrespectiveof the adjustment of said jaws with respect to the handle. i I a 10. Ahandling'device of the class described compn'sing a handle, a sleeve inthreaded engagement with an end portion of the handle,

arms carried by the sleeve and extending beyond the adjacent end of thehandle, a yoke pivotally connected with the outer portions of said arms,means for holding the yoke against swinging movement, clamping jawspivotally mounted upon the yoke for movement one toward the other, andmeans operating upon rotation of the handle in one direction for forcingsaid jaws one toward the other.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature. HENRY W. BODENDIECK.

